- No. 7 Disa Road, Extension 8, Kempton Park
- pension@mepf.co.za
- +27 11 578 5333
By MEPF
MEPF Newsletter Issue 3
Dear Member,
As we enter the second quarter of our 2025/26 Financial Year, we would like to take a moment to reaffirm the core purpose of the Municipal Employees Pension Fund (MEPF) and reflect on key developments and achievements over the past quarter. In this newsletter, we highlight the true intent and value of your pension fund, outline the Board of Trustees’ ongoing efforts to ensure financial stability and soundness of the Fund, and provide an update on the successful implementation of the Two-Pot System.
We will also explain the structure of death and retirement benefits and share important information about trusts for minor beneficiaries. Additionally, we address recent misinformation and legal developments and extend our appreciation for your continued partnership.
We trust you will find this edition informative and reassuring as we continue our commitment to safeguarding your financial future.
The True Purpose of Your Pension Fund
We urge members to understand and value the true intent of a Pension Fund. A pension fund is not merely a savings tool for resignation or a funeral policy. While MEPF does offer additional benefits such as funeral cover, the primary objective of a pension fund is to provide financial security and dignity in retirement, as well as long term financial protection for your loved ones.
By contributing consistently during your working years, you are building a reliable financial foundation that will sustain you and your dependents beyond your employment years. This long-term view is what makes a pension fund one of the most powerful financial instruments for future well-being. At MEPF, this will always remain our primary objective.
Decisions to Sustain Financial Stability
The MEPF Board of Trustees, mandated to safeguard members’ interests, continuously evaluates the Fund’s benefits and sustainability. They have a responsibility and duty to ensure the financial soundness of the Fund, oversee investments, and use them to multiply money to pay benefits to all members they serve. Trustees are entrusted to continuously research, diversify, monitor, and adjust to economic and market conditions to ensure growth and good returns on investments. Investments are crucial for the sustainability and performance of the Fund.
With the investment strategies the Board of Trustees has put in place, MEPF is financially sound and healthy. To put it bluntly, the Fund is in a position to pay benefits for all members if it had to do so now. It is for this reason that Trustees must cap and eliminate wasteful and unnecessary expenditures and ensure all benefits are structured to sustain the Fund for longevity and long-term stability.
Many members have been asking if their monies are safe after false and malicious rumours spread by detractors, and we can boldly confirm that your monies are safe and growing. Benefits are paid according to the Fund rules and in line with regulations governing the Fund.
Two-Pot System: First Quarter Success
We are proud to share that since we started processing payments in April, a total value of R40 246 836.65 has been paid out to members. This achievement speaks directly to the operational strength and financial soundness of the Fund. We remain fully committed and equipped to honour all legitimate claims.
Understanding MEPF’s Death Benefits – DB & DC Explained
We wish to remind our members and stakeholders of the DeathBenefit structure available to our members:
- Defined Benefit (DB) category: In the unfortunate event of a member’s passing whilst employed, the DB fund provides a monthly pension for eligible dependents (including spouse and minor children), in addition to a gratuity (lump sum) of 3x Annual Salary. This ensures long-term financial support for the family. If a member leaves no minor children or spouse, the compensation is the greater of 1x Annual Salary or twice the member’s contributions only.
- Defined Contribution (DC) category: Death benefits under the DC component are based on the member’s accumulated fund credit plus 4x Annual Salary, which is paid as a lump sum to the dependents of the member, as per fund rules and legal guidance (Section 37C of the Pension Fund Act).
The MEPF currently disburses more than R50 million monthly to pensioners, widows/widowers, and children. This is a clear and powerful indication of the financial strength and sustainability of the Fund. We are proud to uphold our promise of lifelong support to those who have served and contributed faithfully.
Retirement Pensions & Spousal Benefits
At retirement, DB members receive a monthly pension for life. In addition, a 50% monthly pension is paid to the spouse for life upon the pensioner’s passing. This crucial benefit ensures that your spouse remains supported, financially, even after you’re gone. This benefit ceases when the spouse passes on.
New on the MEPF App: Beneficiary Nominations
You can now view your beneficiary nominations directly via the MEPF App. This important feature gives you greater control and transparency over who benefits from your pension, so we encourage all members to log in and ensure that their details are up to date.
Trusts for Minor Beneficiaries – Protecting Their Futures
For deceased members with minor children as beneficiaries, MEPF has a dedicated Trust structure administered by Akani Retirement Fund Administrators (Akani RFA). These Trusts ensure that funds are responsibly managed and disbursed in the best interests of the child until they reach legal maturity.
We call on all families, guardians, and stakeholders to engage with the Fund if they suspect there may be unclaimed benefits, particularly where a minor may be involved. Ensuring rightful beneficiaries receive what is due to them is a shared priority.
Misinformation and Legal Victory
MEPF operates under the strict regulatory framework of the FSCA and the Pension Funds Act, ensuring compliance, integrity, and transparency. We continue to caution all stakeholders against the spread of misinformation.
We welcome the ruling handed down on 11 June 2025, where the court ordered Mr. Phumudzo Ndou and Ndou Attorneys and Associates to retract all defamatory statements made against MEPF and Akani RFA on their social media platforms. This decision upholds the Fund’s reputation and reiterates our dedication to ethical governance and legal compliance.
Appreciation and Continued Partnership
We extend our sincere thanks to all our stakeholders – members, HR officers, municipal officials, and service providers – for your continued support, partnership, and collaboration. Your cooperation helps us to deliver quality service and protect the dignity of every member.
Together, we move forward with purpose, resilience, and shared commitment. Our team of esteemed Stakeholder Relations Officers are always available to assist:
Contact Numbers:
- Lebo Molemane: 066 020 8535 (North-West, Mpumalanga)
- Tsamai Ratsela 082 289 0100 (Free-State, Gauteng)
- Gudani Mufhadi 072 352 7144 (Free-State, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North-West)
- Thulani Mthombeni 082 585 5931 (Gauteng, KZN, Northern Cape,
Eastern Cape) - Wisani Shiviti 072 352 6894 (Limpopo, Mpumalanga)
Regards,
Municipal Employees Pension Fund
Your Number 1 Pension Fund
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The Fund is administered by Akani Retirement Fund Administrators (Pty) Ltd.
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